COMPOSITE TRUTH

In my opinion this is the best of their first three classic albums. The horn and vocal styles really don't do a lot for me but I feel on this one they've toned those two things down a lot. This is a more serious, more mature album. Now we still get a couple of tracks that have me rolling my eyes like "Hagalo" with that Island sound and then my least favourite "Polk Street Carnival". The first two tracks were apparently released as singles and they are good but it was that "Don't Mess With People" that had me nodding with respect. A nice heavy sound early on with the bass, organ, beats and vocals. The vocals have more of a serious tone. We get punchy and intricate sounds at 2 1/2 minutes as the vocals step aside. Flute joins in then horns after 3 minutes. Great sound!

My other two favourites besides "Don't Mess With People" are "Golden Stone" the longest piece at close to 7 1/2 minutes and "Out With The Boys" which I normally wouldn't pick because it's getting close to being ballad-like but it works for me. Sparse sounds on that one with piano and laid back vocals mostly. Some orchestration I believe around 2 1/2 minutes and some flute as well. I like how different instruments lead on that "Golden Stone" song especially the guitar. Nice powerful sound 5 1/2 minutes in. The closer is surprisingly chilled out as well. I like the balance on this album but I'm still not completely sold on these guys. Giving this a low 4 stars.